In this case, however, it appears that the (heretofore private) health information of specific patients is being divulged (sold?). On the one hand, "marketing firm Beacon Dodsworth said it had not been able to access raw data, but analysis of the hospital trends, integrated with other information;" on the other, "documents suggest the sensitive data would be used to target people on social media websites such as Facebook."

Fortunately, we have HIPAA and other privacy regulations in place, so that could never happen here.

In this case, however, it appears that the (heretofore private) health information of specific patients is being divulged (sold?). On the one hand, "marketing firm Beacon Dodsworth said it had not been able to access raw data, but analysis of the hospital trends, integrated with other information;" on the other, "documents suggest the sensitive data would be used to target people on social media websites such as Facebook."

Fortunately, we have HIPAA and other privacy regulations in place, so that could never happen here.